Unrevoked, a tool that brought the ability to run applications that require root and originally developed for the HTC EVO 4G and HTC Hero, was just updated to version 3.

Unrevoked 3

With this new version 3, Unrevoked finally brings a 1-click root solution to the HTC Droid Incredible that also allows you to flash a custom ClockworkMod recovery, custom ROMs, and take backups of your phone with Nandroid Backup.

The only thing that Unrevoked doesn't do is unlock NAND permanently, meaning you won't be able to write to the system partition after the OS boots and therefore won't be able to uninstall various carrier installed garbage apps.

The tool is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, which should satisfy pretty much every Incredible owner.

Does unrevoked3 give me root?Yes. It previously did not; as of version 3.0, it does.

What does this do, then?unrevoked3 will replace the stock Android recovery with a custom one, which adds many features including “nandroid” backups, the ability to use custom ROMs, and a greater amount of flexibility and customization of your Android phone.

Does this permanently unlock the NAND flash on my phone?No. The tool only unlocks the NAND flash sufficiently long to flash the custom recovery, ClockworkMod. Because of the mechanism that unrevoked2 uses, it is infeasible to leave it unlocked for longer. For this reason, the tool functions as a single unit–if any one part of it doesn't work, the NAND flash may not even be unlocked! After the reflash tool finishes running, the phone's hardware automatically relocks NAND flash.

How do I use a custom recovery image instead of the packaged ClockworkMod?You will need to choose a .img file, which is a binary file suitable for flashing. A .zip file will not work and may render your recovery partition inaccessible until you run unrevoked3 with an appropriate image.

Are any drivers required?On Linux and OS X, the program is self-contained. For Windows users, please install the HBOOT drivers contained in the package before use.

I'm running Linux and it won't detect my device!Either run the program with root permissions, or add appropriate udev rules to the file /etc/rules.d/51-android.rules. Instructions are available at the Android Developers website.

The program hangs when “waiting for the system to settle.”Uninstall any programs that may connect to the phone over USB and automatically sync. Specifically, we have had interference from HTC Sync and Doubletwist in the past; other programs may also cause trouble.

Will you release the source code?At this time, we are not disclosing the vulnerability we have exploited to unlock the NAND flash.

That doesn't seem fair! Android is about open source.In some senses, we agree; but at times, a tradeoff needs to be made. Releasing the source code for this, we believe, would compromise the greater ability to unlock devices like these in the future. Given the choice between sacrificing the liberty of running code on our handsets and the liberty of reading the code by which we unlock it, we feel that the millions of handsets are more important. It is unfortunate that we must make such a choice, and we look forward to the day in the future that no such decision need be made.

I found this software useful, and I would like to donate to the team!Thank you for your support. At this time, the team behind unrevoked3 does not accept donations; but we highly encourage our users to donate to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The EFF performs the important role of standing up for our digital liberties, including the liberties to reverse-engineer devices that we own. If you are able, please consider making a contribution to them so that they can continue to perform this valuable service.

Artem is a die-hard Android fan, passionate tech blogger, obsessive-compulsive editor, bug hunting programmer, and the founder of Android Police.
Most of the time, you will find Artem either hacking away at code or thinking of the next 15 blog posts.

Comments

So, simple root or unrevoked 3.1, if I am going to install cm6 when it comes out? I haven't accepted any otas yet.

http://www.AndroidPolice.com Artem Russakovskii

SimpleRoot gives you NAND unlock and ability to remove apps. Unrevoked does not.

I went with SimpleRoot and couldn't be happier.

However, we're specifically talking about Incredible here, so for that Unrevoked 3 is king.

andrew

Love the information and the steps on installing product. Just a few things I will like to add,what if your HTC EVO4G firmware is to new then what can you do root your device?

chris

i was close to simple rooting my phone, but was holding off until i could find a suitable backup utility for it that actually worked, so i have on question, does this erase all your stuff like full root does, or is it like the original unrevoked 1 that i had, i just need wifi tethering for now, everything else can wait....

Jose

I updated to unrevoked 3 can tell from the clockwork mod version but when I attempt to apply the OTA update it does not work?....how can I do this any help?

Jeff

If you root your phone with Unrevoked does it remove all the Sprint Apps? Some are junk but I would like to keep my Sprint TV and NFL Access.

aardvarkadillo

I'm not succeeding with either platform. Having given up on SiMPle RooT, we tried unREvoKeD3.

Simple RooT was not simple, and we cannot run wireless tether on the EVO with this 1.47.651

Chris

Try what I did, simple root, then since you didn't install a custom rom most likley you don't get superuser access, so after you simple root you then use unrevoked (I chose to use unrevoked 1.1 I had on my sd card) which works now either from the factory restore or the simple rooy or a combo of both, when you install unrevoked you get the superuser app back, then just run the latest 2.05 wireless tether app.

That's what I did and its working for me now, also its working after reboot.

My guess the simple root gets you access to root that sticks, and unrevoked gets you the superuser app

pappyharley

well I'm trying download the unrevoked 3, but when I click on any phone shown on the site (the Incredble is not shown, only the Evo, Hero, Aria amd the desire), nothing happens when i Click on any of them. Do I need to go to this site from my phone?

Ran

Same here using Internet Explorer. Use Firefox or Chrome and everything works when you click on them.

pappyharley

Thanks a lot. Chrome worked so I soon as I wake I'll give it a shot.

Daniel

If your phone is rooted with unrevoked 3 and you want to get rid of those crappy sprint apps, just download titanium backup from the app store. I deleted all the sprint apps using that program.

Wickwire

When I run Unrevoked3, it does not recognize my phone. I have my phone plugged in and USB debugging enabled. Nothing else is running that would conflict with it. Unrevoked3 simply stays at the screen that says, "Waiting for device..."

Any ideas? I'm using Windows XP Pro SP3 and an HTC Aria.

Chris

I would try downloading htc sync, it helped my simple root

Daniel

@Wickwire

If your on a windows computer unrevoked requires you to download a bunch of additional drivers. At least that's what I heard.

Maybe thats your problem.

Dan

Version 3 of unrevoked worked well. I had Version 1 and an OTA update blew out the root access and Wireless tether would no longer work. This was easier than the full root offered by SimpleRoot and since I'm only using root for wifi now it made more sense.

Robert

confused!

Ran the unrevoked recovery, went through the steps in the end it said it was complete.

With the USB cable connected to the computer the phone boots to ClockworkMod Recovery.

One of the menu options is nandroid, so I was able to create a backup.

But do I have root?

Terminal emulator says access denied on a su

I cannot install wireless tether.

Any suggestions?

Andrew T

UGH! It keeps getting all the way to the end and then it just says failed to flash recovery image... A little frustrated at this point. Anyone know what to do?

Jerimiah

same.... it either freezes at waiting for reboot or failed to flash recovery image been trying for hours. What happened to pain and hassle free?

Dmsp8baller

Does this only support rooting, or will do this unrooting?

Joo

mine has been sitting at "Flashing recovery image. Do not touch your phone!" for 20 minutes. Anyone have any idea how long this is supposed to take?

wasted hours

doesn't work with xp
dont waste your time, can't update usb drivers

Joshua

Ive got a HTC Aria, downloaded and installed all drivers accordingly to all descriptions found on your site. Shit off phone- HMBOOT Screen- Plugged in USB cable, HMBOOT USB- Installed drivers. Popped back off and pulled battery- Restarted phone. Went in and Debugged on- Hooked phone up and tried in all 3 modes, but unreEVOked 3 wont do its thing... Any suggestions?

Luis

I mad the procedure, i got the "done" word, after it finished i went to nandroid, i mad a backup, after that i rebooted the phone.... the results: i got a ninja icon saying superuser blabla in apps... apart of that everytime i try to install something i´m getting the same message "your phone is blocked etc etc..." what did i wrong? what is missing?

Luis

I forgot to mention that before making the rooting process i upgraded the phone to the latest firmware available in HTC web site, is that the problem?, is it not supported?

Thanks for your support

metaltechie

As a noob, yesterday I rooted my evo for the first time I have ever tried doing any of this. I did not do custom roms, just the unrevoked as directed and titanium. did have to download busybox to gain full root and then I was able to uninstall everthing I did not want on the system. I will have to read more about custom roms before I attempt this. All I can say is all of the junk is gone and I did not brick my phone. Thanks everyone for this forum and the people who believe that what you own is yours and you do as you wish.

http://www.AndroidPolice.com Artem Russakovskii

:-] Glad you got it done without trouble!

kaz

rooted!!
well....
Got Superpermission icon
then
what to do ?

xXPhantom

I need to noe why this keeps on happening to me when i try rooting my HTC Evo 4g as of May 8th 2011 using Unrevoked. It says wut if it says this in the middle of the rooting? ''Communications with phone unexpectedly inturrupted. Try again." Post back ASAP!!!!!!!

hi tech-lowtech

tryed to root with unrevoked 3 and it starts but gets to point where it says "heroc not supported at this time" any help would be appreciated my phone is a alltel hero build 2.33.556.1, 2.1update 1

hi tech-lowtech

also first time ever rooting phone maybe i am doing something wrong >?

Juju

I dowloaded unrevoked on my mac, and when I plugged my evo to my mac, it still say "waiting on device.... Plug in phone and have it on debbugging" which I have done. Its on charge only and debbuging. But nothing happens!

tscott1031

The same thing is happening to me. Did you figure it out?

ELLE

Hello, can anyone help?

I unrooted my phone I think...and I want the SUPERPERMISSION icon deleted off of my device! How can I get this completed?

PLEASE HELP!

JT

Can i use this program to root my "Inspire 4G"? i know its kinda the same as the "Desire" but i just wanted to make sure before i do anything.

Alfabero

I have the same concern regarding the possibility of using the Desire to root my Inspire 4G

Alex H

does this work for the incredible 2?

rod E

how long does this take iv been waiting from 10;30pm to 9;00am its its still says pushing recovery 3565568 bytes and then on another it still says pushing root acess UI 38360